Is St. Petersburg Safe? Surprising Comfort Amidst Tensions

Ah, St. Petersburg – the Venice of the North, the cultural capital of Russia, and... a city that makes our parents clutch their pearls in worry. When we first mentioned our plans to visit, the reactions ranged from raised eyebrows to outright panic. "But what about the KGB?" (Spoiler alert: it doesn't exist anymore, Mom.) "Aren't you afraid of getting caught up in some international incident?" (Dad, we're going for the art and food, not to start a Cold War revival.)

But here's the thing – is St. Petersburg actually the den of espionage and danger that our parents' Cold War-era memories paint it to be? Or is it just another beautiful European city with its own unique charm and, yes, challenges? That's what my wife Sarah and I set out to discover during our recent week-long adventure in Russia's imperial capital.

As a pair of 40-something remote workers from sunny Florida (where the biggest daily danger is usually a sunburn), we approached our St. Petersburg trip with a mix of excitement and caution. I'm West Parker, a Cornell University School of Hotel Administration graduate turned travel writer, and together with my wife Sarah, we've spent the last two decades exploring the world's most extraordinary destinations. Now, as a resident writer for Town & Tourist, I'm here to share our unfiltered, slightly jet-lagged, but thoroughly researched take on the safety situation in St. Petersburg.

So, grab a cup of tea (or a shot of vodka, if you're feeling adventurous), and let's dive into the world of gilded palaces, mysterious canals, and yes – the real scoop on safety in St. Petersburg. Is it safe? Well, that's what we're here to find out.

3 Safety Factors to Consider

Before we packed our bags and headed off to the land of Pushkin and pierogi, we did our homework. Here's how we assessed the safety situation in St. Petersburg:

01 - State Department Travel Advisory

First things first – we always check what Uncle Sam has to say about our travel plans. And let me tell you, the current advisory for Russia made us do a double-take faster than you can say "borscht."

The U.S. Department of State currently has Russia, including St. Petersburg, under a Level 4 - Do Not Travel advisory. Yikes. The reasons? A laundry list including the "unpredictable consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the potential for harassment and detention of U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, and the Embassy's limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia."

Now, I'll be honest – this gave us pause. We're adventurous, but we're not "start an international incident" adventurous. However, after digging deeper and consulting with fellow travelers who had recently visited, we decided to proceed with caution.

State Department Check: CAUTION

02 - Latest News

Next, we dove into the most recent news about St. Petersburg. We wanted to know what was happening on the ground, beyond the broad strokes of government advisories.

The good news? We couldn't find any recent reports of crimes specifically targeting tourists in St. Petersburg. The city has been making efforts to boost its tourism industry, which usually goes hand-in-hand with improved safety measures for visitors.

However, we did note some ongoing concerns:

• The conflict in Ukraine has led to increased international tensions, which could potentially affect travelers.
• There have been changes in flight options and potential difficulties with financial transactions due to international sanctions.
• Enhanced security measures are in place across the city, particularly at major tourist sites.

While these factors didn't scream "danger," they did reinforce our decision to stay alert and prepared.

Latest News Check: CAUTION

03 - Community Forums

Finally, we turned to the wisdom of the crowd. TripAdvisor forums and Reddit threads became our late-night reading material (who needs Netflix when you have travel forums, right?).

The consensus among recent visitors was largely positive. Many reported feeling safe in St. Petersburg, especially in the main tourist areas. One TripAdvisor user wrote, "I felt very safe walking around the city center, even at night. The streets were well-lit and there were always people around."

However, like any major city, petty crime and pickpocketing were mentioned as potential issues, particularly in crowded areas and on public transportation.

An American expat on Expat.com shared, "As long as you use common sense and stay aware of your surroundings, St. Petersburg is no more dangerous than any other big city."

Community Forum Check: PASS

First Hand Experience in St. Petersburg

Armed with our research and a healthy dose of street smarts, Sarah and I set off to explore St. Petersburg. Here's our neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown of what we experienced:

Nevsky Prospekt (City Center)

Ah, Nevsky Prospekt – the beating heart of St. Petersburg and our first stop on this Russian adventure. This grand boulevard is to St. Petersburg what the Champs-Élysées is to Paris, minus the Parisian attitude and with an extra dose of imperial grandeur.

Walking down Nevsky Prospekt, we felt like we had stepped into a living postcard. The architecture is a feast for the eyes – a mix of Baroque, Neoclassical, and Art Nouveau styles that had me constantly nudging Sarah and pointing, probably looking every bit the tourist I was trying not to be.

During the day, the street was bustling with a mix of locals going about their business and tourists like us, gawking at the surroundings. We noticed a visible police presence, which actually made us feel quite secure. However, we did keep our wits about us – Nevsky Prospekt is also known as a hotspot for pickpockets, so we made sure to keep our valuables close.

One evening, we decided to take a twilight stroll down Nevsky. The street takes on a magical quality as the sun sets and the buildings light up. We felt perfectly safe, but we did notice the crowd changed a bit – more party-goers and fewer families. Nothing threatening, just a different vibe.

Some highlights of our Nevsky Prospekt adventures:

• We visited the Kazan Cathedral, a stunning example of 19th-century architecture. Pro tip: go early to avoid the crowds and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
• We couldn't resist stopping at Eliseyev Emporium, a historic food hall that's basically Willy Wonka's factory for adults. The interior is as decadent as the treats they sell.
• For a taste of local life, we grabbed coffee at Marketplace, a popular local chain. The people-watching here was top-notch.

Is Nevsky Prospekt Safe? YES, but keep your street smarts about you.

Petrogradsky District

After the grandeur of Nevsky Prospekt, we were eager to explore the Petrogradsky District, home to some of St. Petersburg's most iconic sights. This area, spread across several islands, has a more laid-back vibe compared to the city center.

The star attraction here is undoubtedly the Peter and Paul Fortress, the original citadel of St. Petersburg. As we approached the fortress, crossing the Neva River, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the history surrounding us. The fortress itself felt incredibly safe – there were security checks at the entrance, and the whole area was well-monitored.

We spent a good part of the day exploring the fortress and its museums. The Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, with its towering golden spire, is a must-see. It's the final resting place of Russian tsars, including Peter the Great himself. Talk about rubbing shoulders with history!

As the day turned to evening, we decided to explore the surrounding area. The streets were quieter than Nevsky Prospekt, but still felt safe. We did notice fewer English speakers here, so our rudimentary Russian got a workout.

Some Petrogradsky District highlights:

• We took a guided tour of the Peter and Paul Fortress, which I highly recommend. Our guide, Olga, was a fountain of knowledge and insider tips.
• For a quirky experience, we visited the Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines. It's a blast from the past (pun intended) and a fun way to spend an hour or two.
• We ended our day with dinner at Mechtateli, a cozy restaurant with a great view of the Neva River. The beef stroganoff here is to die for.

Is Petrogradsky District Safe? YES, but be a bit more cautious after dark.

Vasilievsky Island

Vasilievsky Island has a great university vibe. We loved people-watching here and even picked up some Russian slang from friendly students!

Next on our St. Petersburg adventure was Vasilievsky Island, the largest island in the Neva Delta and home to St. Petersburg State University. As soon as we stepped off the metro, we could feel the youthful energy of the area – students bustling about, cafes buzzing with animated conversations, and a general air of intellectual curiosity.

During the day, we felt completely at ease wandering the streets of Vasilievsky Island. The area around the university is particularly lively and well-maintained. We spent a good chunk of time admiring the beautiful historic buildings of the university, feeling a bit nostalgic for our own college days (though I don't remember my campus having quite so many onion domes).

As night fell, the vibe of the island changed. It didn't feel unsafe, per se, but definitely quieter. We stuck to the main streets, which were well-lit and still had a decent amount of foot traffic. However, we did avoid some of the more residential areas that seemed a bit too quiet for comfort.

Our Vasilievsky Island adventures included:

• A visit to the Kunstkamera, Russia's first museum. It's famous (or infamous) for its collection of curiosities. Not for the faint of heart, but fascinating if you're into the weird and wonderful.
• We enjoyed a lovely afternoon at the Strelka, the eastern tip of the island with a beautiful view of the Neva River. It's a popular spot for locals to hang out, and we felt perfectly safe people-watching and enjoying the scenery.
• For a caffeine fix, we stopped at Espresso Bike, a hip little coffee shop popular with students. The barista even gave us some tips on navigating the city's public transport.

Is Vasilievsky Island Safe? YES, but stick to well-lit areas at night.

Admiralteysky District

The Admiralteysky District, home to many government buildings and the iconic gold-spired Admiralty building, was next on our list. This area exudes an air of officialdom and grandeur that's hard to miss.

During our daytime explorations, we felt incredibly safe. The presence of government offices meant there was a higher level of security and police presence. We saw plenty of tourists snapping photos of the impressive architecture, and the overall atmosphere was one of orderly bustle.

We did notice that things quieted down considerably after office hours. While we never felt unsafe, the emptier streets did make us a bit more alert. We made sure to keep our belongings close and stay aware of our surroundings.

Some highlights from our time in the Admiralteysky District:

• We couldn't resist a visit to St. Isaac's Cathedral. The climb to the colonnade is worth every step for the panoramic views of the city.
• We enjoyed a peaceful stroll through the Alexander Garden, a beautiful green space right in the heart of the city.
• For a taste of luxury, we treated ourselves to tea at the Astoria Hotel. It's a bit pricey, but the people-watching and ambiance are worth it.

Is Admiralteysky District Safe? YES, very safe during the day, exercise normal caution at night.

Tsentralny District

Our exploration of St. Petersburg wouldn't be complete without diving into the Tsentralny District, the historic heart of the city. This area is a treasure trove of museums, theaters, and historical sites – it's basically candy land for history buffs like us.

During the day, the Tsentralny District was buzzing with activity. Tourists from all over the world mingled with locals, creating a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere. We felt perfectly safe wandering the streets, maps in hand, probably looking every bit the tourists we were.

However, this is also where we encountered our first (and thankfully, only) brush with petty crime. While admiring the stunning Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Sarah felt someone bump into her rather forcefully. Thankfully, her bag was zipped and close to her body, and nothing was taken. It was a good reminder to stay vigilant, even in broad daylight.

As night fell, the district took on a different character. The streets near the theaters and restaurants remained lively and felt safe, but some of the quieter areas made us a bit more cautious. We stuck to well-lit main roads and didn't venture into any dark alleys (not that we make a habit of dark alley adventures anywhere we travel).

Our Tsentralny District highlights:

• The Hermitage Museum was, without a doubt, the crown jewel of our visit. We spent an entire day here and barely scratched the surface. Pro tip: book tickets online in advance to avoid the long queues.
• We enjoyed a fantastic performance at the Mariinsky Theatre. The security here was tight, which made us feel very safe even late at night.
• For a taste of local life, we visited the Kuznechny Market. It was a sensory overload in the best possible way, though we did keep a close eye on our belongings in the crowded aisles.

Is Tsentralny District Safe? YES, but be extra vigilant in crowded tourist areas.

St. Petersburg by Foot

One of the best ways to really get to know a city is to walk its streets, and St. Petersburg is no exception. Despite its sprawling size, many of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other, making it a pedestrian's dream.

During our week-long stay, we clocked an impressive number of steps (our fitness apps were very proud of us). Here's our take on walking around St. Petersburg:

• Daytime walks felt very safe, especially in the main tourist areas. The sidewalks were generally well-maintained, though we did encounter some uneven patches here and there.
• We were impressed by how clean the city was. It seems the locals take pride in keeping their city beautiful.
• Crossing the street took some getting used to. Not all drivers stop for pedestrians, even at marked crosswalks. We learned to wait for cars to come to a full stop before stepping out.
• As the sun set, we became a bit more cautious. We stuck to well-lit main streets and avoided shortcuts through parks or quiet residential areas after dark.
• We always made sure to have Google Maps downloaded for offline use, just in case. It came in handy more than once when we took a wrong turn (which may or may not have been due to my questionable map-reading skills).

One memorable incident occurred when we were trying to find our way back to our hotel after dinner. We took a wrong turn and ended up in a quieter residential area. While nothing bad happened, the lack of people and dim lighting made us feel uneasy. We quickly retraced our steps back to the main road, hailed a taxi, and made it back to our hotel without any issues. It was a good reminder to always be aware of our surroundings and trust our instincts.

St. Petersburg by Uber

While we loved exploring St. Petersburg on foot, there were times when we needed to cover longer distances or when we just didn't feel like walking. Enter Yandex.Taxi, the Russian equivalent of Uber.

Using Yandex.Taxi was a breeze, even with our limited Russian. The app has an English interface, and we could input our destination using the Latin alphabet. Here's when we opted for a ride instead of walking

• From Pulkovo Airport to our hotel: After a long flight, the last thing we wanted was to navigate public transport with our luggage. Yandex.Taxi made this journey smooth and stress-free.
• To and from Peterhof Palace: This stunning palace is located outside the city center, and Yandex.Taxi was the most convenient way to get there.
• Late-night returns from restaurants or shows: While we felt generally safe walking at night, there were a few times when we were tired or it was particularly late, so we opted for a ride.
• Rainy days: St. Petersburg can be quite rainy, and on days when the weather wasn't cooperating, Yandex.Taxi was our savior.

Our experience with Yandex.Taxi was overwhelmingly positive. The cars were clean, the drivers professional, and the rides felt safe. We always made sure to check the license plate and driver's name before getting in, just as we would with any ride-sharing service back home.

Is Yandex.Taxi Safe? YES, but always exercise normal ride-sharing precautions.

Recommended Itinerary

Based on our experiences, here's a 3-day itinerary that balances seeing the best of St. Petersburg while keeping safety in mind:

Day 1: City Center Exploration

• Morning: Start with a walking tour of Nevsky Prospekt. This will help you get oriented and learn about the city's history.
• Afternoon: Visit the Hermitage Museum. Book tickets in advance to avoid long queues.
• Evening: Dinner at Literaturnoe Cafe on Nevsky Prospekt, followed by a leisurely stroll back to your hotel.

Safety Tip: Keep valuables secure while in crowded areas around Nevsky Prospekt.

Day 2: Imperial Splendor

• Morning: Take a Yandex.Taxi to Peterhof Palace. Arrive early to beat the crowds.
• Afternoon: Return to the city and visit St. Isaac's Cathedral.
• Evening: Attend a show at the Mariinsky Theatre. Book tickets in advance.

Safety Tip: If returning late from the theatre, consider using Yandex.Taxi rather than walking.

Day 3: Cultural Immersion

• Morning: Visit the Peter and Paul Fortress on Petrogradsky Island.
• Afternoon: Explore the quirky museums on Vasilievsky Island.
• Evening: Enjoy dinner at Mechtateli on Petrogradsky Island, watching the sunset over the Neva River.

Safety Tip: Stick to main, well-lit streets when walking in less touristy areas.

Final Thoughts

So, is St. Petersburg safe? Based on our experience, the answer is a qualified yes. Like any major city, St. Petersburg has its share of petty crime and areas where extra caution is warranted. However, we never felt threatened or in danger during our visit.

Here's our safety advice for visitors to St. Petersburg:

• Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded tourist areas.
• Keep valuables secure and out of sight.
• Stick to well-lit, populated areas at night.
• Use reputable transportation options like official taxis or Yandex.Taxi.
• Learn a few basic Russian phrases – it can go a long way in building goodwill.
• Respect local customs and laws to avoid unwanted attention.
• Keep copies of important documents separate from the originals.
• Register with your embassy upon arrival.
• Stay informed about current events that might affect travel in the region.

Despite the current Level 4 travel advisory, we found St. Petersburg to be a city rich in history, culture, and warm hospitality. The key, as with any travel, is to stay informed, be prepared, and use common sense.

St. Petersburg surprised us with its beauty, fascinated us with its history, and yes, challenged some of our preconceptions about safety in Russia. While it may not be for everyone, especially given the current geopolitical climate, for those who do decide to visit, St. Petersburg offers a unique and rewarding experience.

Remember, every traveler's experience is different, and it's crucial to make your own informed decision about whether to visit. Stay updated on travel advisories, do your research, and trust your instincts.

Happy and safe travels!

About Us

We're West and Sarah Parker, a couple of 40-something remote workers from Florida with an insatiable appetite for adventure (and good food). West is a Cornell University School of Hotel Administration graduate turned travel writer, while Sarah is a software engineer with a knack for finding the best local eateries wherever we go.

We've spent the last two decades exploring over 50 countries across 6 continents, from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene landscapes of New Zealand. Our travels have taught us that with the right preparation and mindset, you can have amazing experiences in places that might initially seem daunting.

As a resident writer for Town & Tourist, West combines his hospitality background with our real-world travel experiences to provide insights that go beyond the typical guidebook advice. Whether you're a seasoned globetrotter or a first-time international traveler, we're here to help you navigate the wonderful world of travel – safely, smartly, and with a good dose of foodie adventures thrown in.

Our goal? To help you travel better, safer, and with more confidence. Because we believe that the world is too fascinating to let fear hold you back from exploring it. So come along with us – let's turn those travel dreams into reality, one safe adventure at a time!